Determination of (210)Pb and (226)Ra/(228)Ra in continental water using HIDEX 300SL LS-spectrometer with TDCR efficiency tracing and optimized α/β-discrimination

Appl Radiat Isot. 2014 Nov:93:64-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.02.021. Epub 2014 Mar 3.

Abstract

An analytical method for determination of (210)Pb, (226)Ra and (228)Ra is presented based on adsorption on 3M Empore RadDiscs, and measurement applying liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSC) after elution. The LSC measurement was performed with optimized α/β-discrimination and isotope standardization using the triple to double coincidence ratio (TDCR). The consistency of measurement results between radioactive parent-daughter pairs (210)Pb/(210)Bi, (226)Ra/(222)Rn and (228)Ra/(228)Ac was checked in long-term counting experiments and the influence ofinterference of in-growing daughters from (226)Ra into the β-spectrum of (228)Ra+(228)Ac was studied as well. Recommendations for optimized LSC (228)Ra measurement besides presence of (226)Ra are given.

Keywords: Alpha/beta separation; Fast radiochemical method; Liquid scintillation counting; Radium isotope measurement; TDCR measurement technique.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinium / analysis
  • Alpha Particles
  • Beta Particles
  • Humans
  • Lead Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Radium / analysis*
  • Radon Daughters / analysis
  • Scintillation Counting / instrumentation
  • Scintillation Counting / methods*
  • Switzerland
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Water Supply / analysis

Substances

  • Lead Radioisotopes
  • Radon Daughters
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Actinium
  • Radium